Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr faces a challenging setback as his squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin Republic will be missing seasoned defender Cedric Hountondji. The 30-year-old player has been sidelined due to an ankle injury he sustained before Benin’s September match against Rwanda. Since then, Hountondji has not made any appearances for his club, Angers SCO, in France, which has raised concerns about his availability for crucial fixtures against Nigeria and Libya in the ongoing qualifying campaign.
Hountondji’s absence from the squad marks a significant blow for the Cheetahs, especially after they narrowly lost to Rwanda in a subsequent match where his defensive prowess was sorely missed. While Benin managed a successful outing in the earlier leg, his lack of presence in the reverse fixture contributed to a disappointing 2-1 defeat, exposing vulnerabilities in the team’s backline. As they prepare to host Nigeria in Abidjan on November 14, the importance of solid defensive strategies becomes more pronounced, particularly since they currently sit second in Group D with six points and desperately seek a victory to enhance their chances of qualifying for the AFCON finals in Morocco.
Rohr is understandably concerned about the effects of Hountondji’s injury on the team’s performance as they attempt to navigate through a competitive group. His impact as a central defender has been pivotal for Benin, both in terms of strength and reliability. As the Cheetahs work towards securing one of the two available tickets for the AFCON finals, Hountondji’s absence might create tactical challenges that Rohr will need to address in order to maximize the squad’s performance against Nigeria.
Unfortunately, recent updates on Hountondji from Angers suggest that he will be missing for an indefinite period as there has been no timeline provided for his recovery. The inability to include such a key player in their lineup is not only a concern for Benin’s immediate match against Nigeria but also raises questions about their overall defensive strategy moving forward in the qualification series. The latest squad announcements indicate Hountondji was not selected for Angers’ recent Ligue 1 fixture against AS Monaco, reinforcing the idea that his return is not imminent.
The upcoming match in Ivory Coast is critical for Benin as they aim to capitalize on any advantage they can muster against their formidable rivals, Nigeria. The absence of a robust defensive unit could potentially give the Super Eagles an edge in this encounter. With the stakes this high, Benin will need to explore alternative strategies to fill the void left by Hountondji while maintaining discipline and resilience in the backline to counter Nigeria’s attacking threats.
In conclusion, the loss of Cedric Hountondji due to injury constitutes a significant challenge for Gernot Rohr’s aspirations as the coach of the Benin national team. As they prepare for their match against Nigeria, the team faces the uphill task of reinforcing their defense and igniting hopes for a successful qualification campaign without one of their key players. With the potential for any slip-up to jeopardize their AFCON aspirations, the Cheetahs’ resilience and adaptability will be put to the test in the days leading up to the vital fixture.
